Question: What do you think of the US response to the former Soviet Union during the Cuban missile crisis?
by QLSC
Thirteen Days is one of those movies I like because, first, it’s based on true events, and as such (second), it reflects reality. It reflects reality in several ways: politically, socially, and morally. But since this class is about International Relations, I will focus on the political side.
I believe that the US responses are justifiable on the basis of Classical Realism (which we recently discussed). First of all, based on the theories of Classical Realism, the US state has its own national interests in mind. It is just right that the US government will panic over the missiles in Cuba. After all, those missiles can target US states, including Washington and kill over 80 million Americans on an initial launch.
But although the US has its safety in mind, it was torn between dual moral standards: Will they ignore the missiles unless utilized, or will they go ahead and reproach the Soviets? If they do the first, their lives will be at stake, and if they do the second, Soviet lives (and others where the Soviets might retaliate) will be at stake, as well. The only difference will be the citizenship of possible fatalities.
In line with these dual standards, the political sphere of US decision had to be separated from other spheres of human nature, such as moral. If the saying “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” holds true for the US government, they couldn’t apply it during the Cuban missile crisis. Why? Because the Soviets have not yet released the missiles. However, if the Soviets do release the missiles, it will be too late for the US. The US had to make a counteractive decision even before it gets “an eye” or “a tooth”.
Finally, as a feature of Classical Realism, the US response must be objective. By being objective, the actors behind the US response called in mind not only the fact that the missiles were a threat to US stability and existence but a threat to the whole world. No one wanted a World War III. And so as much as everyone seemed to want to get rid of the missiles, of the Soviets, and even of Castro, their final course of action was directed toward the benefit of the greater majority of people. That is Classical Realism as presented in the “Thirteen Days”.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Die moderne Zeit
Ich bin immer wieder uberräscht, wie andere die Moderne Zeit ist. Heute finden wir uns in einer kleiner Welt. Wir sprechen mit unsere Verwandten in der ganzen Welt können. Wir sich anfreuden mit Menschen aus andere Kontinent können. Wir einkaufen in Informationstechnologie (online) können.
Gleichzeitig, wir finden uns in ein mehr kompliziert Welt. Wir haben Fernsehen, Mikrowelle, Rechner (computer), und so weiter unser Leben leichter machen. Aber manchmal, glaube ich Leben schwieriger werden.
Obwohl das Welt kleiner werden, wir sind beschäftigter werden. Heute haben wir hocher “life expectancy”, aber unser “death rate” Jugendlichen einschließen.
Immer überlege ich: Warum ist dass, obwohl wir mehr Medizin jetzt haben, wir haben mehr Menschen von Herz Krankheit, Krebs, und so weiter sterben? Warum ist dass, unser Jugendlichen früh auch sterben?
Ist die moderne Zeit ganze positiv? Oder hat sie beide positiver und negativer Anprall?
Gleichzeitig, wir finden uns in ein mehr kompliziert Welt. Wir haben Fernsehen, Mikrowelle, Rechner (computer), und so weiter unser Leben leichter machen. Aber manchmal, glaube ich Leben schwieriger werden.
Obwohl das Welt kleiner werden, wir sind beschäftigter werden. Heute haben wir hocher “life expectancy”, aber unser “death rate” Jugendlichen einschließen.
Immer überlege ich: Warum ist dass, obwohl wir mehr Medizin jetzt haben, wir haben mehr Menschen von Herz Krankheit, Krebs, und so weiter sterben? Warum ist dass, unser Jugendlichen früh auch sterben?
Ist die moderne Zeit ganze positiv? Oder hat sie beide positiver und negativer Anprall?
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Living High as a “Hypo”
The past three months are summer vacation here in the Philippines. As a full-time university student, it was my opportunity to relax and hang out with friends. But the opposite happened in my case; instead of an entire summer of enjoying, it was a summer of fear.
It all began when I started getting tired eyes every few minutes for basically entire days. Whenever my family and I went to a mall, I quietly wished I stayed home because I couldn’t keep my eyes open longer than two seconds. Instead of delighting in the cool air-conditioned centers, I was shivering in cold as my hands grew increasingly numb. At the screening of Spiderman 3, I didn’t even get to glue my eyes to every scene as my head started getting a dull ache.
For the next few days, I seemed dizzy most of the time. When I wake up, I have to stay motionless for several seconds as my eyes seemed to lose focus. I would have to close them, and then breathe deeply thrice before I can start walking. The dull aches at my head continued—sometimes at the side near the bases of my neck, often at either side of my temples. And to cap it off, I was having weird aches in either side of my stomach. I also started taking note of the fact that I haven’t had bowel movement in two consecutive days—and I even keep farting.
It was at that point that I couldn’t stop myself anymore. I started searching the Internet for all the signs and symptoms I was experiencing. As an inborn researcher, it wasn’t long before I diagnosed myself with cataract, dry eyes, meningitis, anemia, leukemia, stomach cancer, and brain tumor. I couldn’t remember the rest because they were less severe than the abovementioned.
Then I started “spotting”. Reddish to brownish blood appeared in my underwear. The catch? I just had my period two weeks before. I knew that was THE period because it was heavy and because it matched my regular month’s-end cycle. So I searched and searched and voila! I’ve got diagnoses for endometriosis, ectopic pregnancy, hypothyroidism, uterine fibroids, leukemia, STD, leukemia, ovarian cancer, and uterine cancer. I ruled out ectopic pregnancy and STD, since I am still a virgin (and so far an angel hasn’t appeared to me yet). And to shorten the list, I crossed out leukemia, too, since a close friend told me that people who get leukemia often have their nose bleeding for no reason. (Thank God my nose hasn’t bled ever—yet.) I also crossed out hypothyroidism as I know that the thyroid gland affects growth, and well, I stand 5’6”. (I know, stupid reason, but still that removes one worry.)
I started praying novenas and even made a pledge to pray the Rosary every day, along with continuous web searches and diagnoses. I also started joining online groups, in which I ask other users if they have ever felt anything similar to what I did and what they think it must be. The answers were kind and sympathetic. Several others recounted their own story. But I still wasn’t entirely convinced.
The rest of the “symptoms” plague me up to now. Out of fear that I would die for no apparent cause, leaving my loved ones confounded, I started sharing my fears to them. I told my best friend, my parents, and my aunt. I didn’t want more to know out of embarrassment (in case I really am healthy and all that) but they spread the word, anyway. They laughed at me (in a reproachful way) and repeated that I was too young to get sick. After all, our youngest relative who died of a serious illness was 37. I am just 18.
My mom’s best friend claimed that whenever we read something about illnesses, it is normal for our bodies to start “feeling” the symptoms too. But, I thought, I felt these symptoms even before I read about them. Every day, as another new sensation comes up, I ran to the computer and self-diagnosed myself. And every day, my list of illnesses gets longer, not to mention, harsher. In my frustration, I searched for this illness (if it is one).
And it is. Hypochondria (sometimes called hypochondriasis, not that it sounds better) is a health anxiety. “Hypo” is a phobia that makes a person think that he has an illness or will get one soon. Apparently, it is what I have.
“Hypo” usually afflicts those with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and I’m not surprised to have it as I am an OC. It can also be caused by depression, anxiety, and even stress (which I get lots of, I admit).
Whiteley Index, a recognized self-test for hypochondria, proves me right. I scored a whopping 64 (the highest is 70). And the page says: “Patients with hypochondria are found to have a score of 44 +/- 11 (32 to 55).” If so, then I am a super-hyper-mega-hypochondriac.
My seemingly eternal worries subsided when I discovered that I was not alone—there were many of us! One to five percent of all people are “hypos”. That means, of the almost 6.6 billion people on Earth, at least 66 million up to 330 million are just like me. I was utterly delighted.
Knowing that such illness exists have helped save my sanity, even more when I found out that I was not alone. Though I continue to check the Internet (tie my hands because I really can’t help it!) for a few aches here and there, I am less fearful of death. Life must go on. I may really have anemia and maybe I need new glasses, but I believe I am still too young to be seriously ill right now. Plus, I’m no longer bleeding, and my recent bowel was of normal size. (Smaller feces is a strong sign of stomach cancer.)
A balanced diet, moderate exercise, lots of sleep, and deep breathing are my new friends. After all, every problem has a solution. But I’d rather not create that problem myself.
It all began when I started getting tired eyes every few minutes for basically entire days. Whenever my family and I went to a mall, I quietly wished I stayed home because I couldn’t keep my eyes open longer than two seconds. Instead of delighting in the cool air-conditioned centers, I was shivering in cold as my hands grew increasingly numb. At the screening of Spiderman 3, I didn’t even get to glue my eyes to every scene as my head started getting a dull ache.
For the next few days, I seemed dizzy most of the time. When I wake up, I have to stay motionless for several seconds as my eyes seemed to lose focus. I would have to close them, and then breathe deeply thrice before I can start walking. The dull aches at my head continued—sometimes at the side near the bases of my neck, often at either side of my temples. And to cap it off, I was having weird aches in either side of my stomach. I also started taking note of the fact that I haven’t had bowel movement in two consecutive days—and I even keep farting.
It was at that point that I couldn’t stop myself anymore. I started searching the Internet for all the signs and symptoms I was experiencing. As an inborn researcher, it wasn’t long before I diagnosed myself with cataract, dry eyes, meningitis, anemia, leukemia, stomach cancer, and brain tumor. I couldn’t remember the rest because they were less severe than the abovementioned.
Then I started “spotting”. Reddish to brownish blood appeared in my underwear. The catch? I just had my period two weeks before. I knew that was THE period because it was heavy and because it matched my regular month’s-end cycle. So I searched and searched and voila! I’ve got diagnoses for endometriosis, ectopic pregnancy, hypothyroidism, uterine fibroids, leukemia, STD, leukemia, ovarian cancer, and uterine cancer. I ruled out ectopic pregnancy and STD, since I am still a virgin (and so far an angel hasn’t appeared to me yet). And to shorten the list, I crossed out leukemia, too, since a close friend told me that people who get leukemia often have their nose bleeding for no reason. (Thank God my nose hasn’t bled ever—yet.) I also crossed out hypothyroidism as I know that the thyroid gland affects growth, and well, I stand 5’6”. (I know, stupid reason, but still that removes one worry.)
I started praying novenas and even made a pledge to pray the Rosary every day, along with continuous web searches and diagnoses. I also started joining online groups, in which I ask other users if they have ever felt anything similar to what I did and what they think it must be. The answers were kind and sympathetic. Several others recounted their own story. But I still wasn’t entirely convinced.
The rest of the “symptoms” plague me up to now. Out of fear that I would die for no apparent cause, leaving my loved ones confounded, I started sharing my fears to them. I told my best friend, my parents, and my aunt. I didn’t want more to know out of embarrassment (in case I really am healthy and all that) but they spread the word, anyway. They laughed at me (in a reproachful way) and repeated that I was too young to get sick. After all, our youngest relative who died of a serious illness was 37. I am just 18.
My mom’s best friend claimed that whenever we read something about illnesses, it is normal for our bodies to start “feeling” the symptoms too. But, I thought, I felt these symptoms even before I read about them. Every day, as another new sensation comes up, I ran to the computer and self-diagnosed myself. And every day, my list of illnesses gets longer, not to mention, harsher. In my frustration, I searched for this illness (if it is one).
And it is. Hypochondria (sometimes called hypochondriasis, not that it sounds better) is a health anxiety. “Hypo” is a phobia that makes a person think that he has an illness or will get one soon. Apparently, it is what I have.
“Hypo” usually afflicts those with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and I’m not surprised to have it as I am an OC. It can also be caused by depression, anxiety, and even stress (which I get lots of, I admit).
Whiteley Index, a recognized self-test for hypochondria, proves me right. I scored a whopping 64 (the highest is 70). And the page says: “Patients with hypochondria are found to have a score of 44 +/- 11 (32 to 55).” If so, then I am a super-hyper-mega-hypochondriac.
My seemingly eternal worries subsided when I discovered that I was not alone—there were many of us! One to five percent of all people are “hypos”. That means, of the almost 6.6 billion people on Earth, at least 66 million up to 330 million are just like me. I was utterly delighted.
Knowing that such illness exists have helped save my sanity, even more when I found out that I was not alone. Though I continue to check the Internet (tie my hands because I really can’t help it!) for a few aches here and there, I am less fearful of death. Life must go on. I may really have anemia and maybe I need new glasses, but I believe I am still too young to be seriously ill right now. Plus, I’m no longer bleeding, and my recent bowel was of normal size. (Smaller feces is a strong sign of stomach cancer.)
A balanced diet, moderate exercise, lots of sleep, and deep breathing are my new friends. After all, every problem has a solution. But I’d rather not create that problem myself.
10 Sets of Sentences Using the Akkusativ und Dativ
Ich gehe ins Kino.
Im Kino sehe ich “Harry Potter 4”.
Am wochentags fahre ich in die Schule.
In der Schule lerne ich Englisch, Mathematik, und so weiter.
Am Wochenende gehe ich ins Kaufhaus.
Im Kaufhaus kaufe ich ein Kleid.
Manchmal gehe ich in die Kneipe.
In der Kneipe tanze ich mit meine Freunde.
Im Sommer fahren wir ins Manila Hotel.
Im Manila Hotel enstpannen wir.
Wir fahren in den Flughafen.
In dem Flughafen warten wir für Vati.
Ich gehe in die Telefonzelle.
In der Telefonzelle rufe ich meine Mutter.
Meine Mutter gehe in den Garten.
In dem Garten pflanzt sie einen Samen.
Sie fahren ins Gefängnis.
Im Gefängnis besuchen sie Erap.
Ich gehe in die Bibliothek.
In der Bibliothek lese ich Bücher.
Im Kino sehe ich “Harry Potter 4”.
Am wochentags fahre ich in die Schule.
In der Schule lerne ich Englisch, Mathematik, und so weiter.
Am Wochenende gehe ich ins Kaufhaus.
Im Kaufhaus kaufe ich ein Kleid.
Manchmal gehe ich in die Kneipe.
In der Kneipe tanze ich mit meine Freunde.
Im Sommer fahren wir ins Manila Hotel.
Im Manila Hotel enstpannen wir.
Wir fahren in den Flughafen.
In dem Flughafen warten wir für Vati.
Ich gehe in die Telefonzelle.
In der Telefonzelle rufe ich meine Mutter.
Meine Mutter gehe in den Garten.
In dem Garten pflanzt sie einen Samen.
Sie fahren ins Gefängnis.
Im Gefängnis besuchen sie Erap.
Ich gehe in die Bibliothek.
In der Bibliothek lese ich Bücher.
Ein Tratsch über Präsidentin Arroyo
Herr Ledesma (HL): Hast du schon gehört? Präsidentin Arroyo hat eine neuer Freund. Ich habe es im Fernsehen gesehen.
Frau Caranto (FC): Nein, wirklich?
HL: Also, Präsidentin Arroyo ist doch gestern in die USA gefahren. Aber nicht mit erster Gentleman Mike Arroyo. Nein, allein war sie.
FC: Was denn?
HL: Sie hat ein Zimmer im Hotel Hilton genommen. Morgens ist sie um elf Uhr aufgestanden und dann hat sie mit dem Freund gefrühstückt.
FC: Nein, wirklich? Mit dem Freund?
HL: Drei Tage ist er im Hotel geblieben. Morgens und nachmittags und abends unterhalten sie sich.
FC: Wirklich? Worüber unterhalten sie sich?
HL: Über Politik.
FC: Darüber interessiere ich mich nicht. Aber, warte! Sie unterhalten sich über Politik?
HL: Ja, sie unterhalten sich über Politik, jeden Tag!
FC: Ist ihr “Freund” groß?
HL: Ja, sehr groß. Aber Präsidentin Arroyo ist sehr kurz/klein.
FC: Ist er weiß?
HL: Ja, das ist richtig. Und seine Haare sind grau.
FC: Warte! Ist das er?
HL: Ja, das ist der neuer Freund von Präsidentin Arroyo.
FC: Ach der! Das ist Präsident Bush von USA.
HL: Wirklich??? Unglaublich.
FC: Aber wahr!
Frau Caranto (FC): Nein, wirklich?
HL: Also, Präsidentin Arroyo ist doch gestern in die USA gefahren. Aber nicht mit erster Gentleman Mike Arroyo. Nein, allein war sie.
FC: Was denn?
HL: Sie hat ein Zimmer im Hotel Hilton genommen. Morgens ist sie um elf Uhr aufgestanden und dann hat sie mit dem Freund gefrühstückt.
FC: Nein, wirklich? Mit dem Freund?
HL: Drei Tage ist er im Hotel geblieben. Morgens und nachmittags und abends unterhalten sie sich.
FC: Wirklich? Worüber unterhalten sie sich?
HL: Über Politik.
FC: Darüber interessiere ich mich nicht. Aber, warte! Sie unterhalten sich über Politik?
HL: Ja, sie unterhalten sich über Politik, jeden Tag!
FC: Ist ihr “Freund” groß?
HL: Ja, sehr groß. Aber Präsidentin Arroyo ist sehr kurz/klein.
FC: Ist er weiß?
HL: Ja, das ist richtig. Und seine Haare sind grau.
FC: Warte! Ist das er?
HL: Ja, das ist der neuer Freund von Präsidentin Arroyo.
FC: Ach der! Das ist Präsident Bush von USA.
HL: Wirklich??? Unglaublich.
FC: Aber wahr!
Einen Traum mit Gott
“Hören Sie bitte zu. Ich habe einen Traum. Es ist am achten Juni passiert…
Ich bin nach mein Haus gelaufen, als er vorbeigegangen. Es war Leo.
Leo. Leo ist mein Traummann. Er geht in meine Klasse. Aber er sieht mich nicht… Er war allein. Ich bin geschlichen hinter…
Er ist in den Wald gegangen. Also bin ich in den Wald gegangen. Er ist gerannt. Also bin ich gerannt. Es gibt einen See. Er ist schnell geflossen. Leo ist gesprungen in den See. Also bin ich gesprungen.
Aber er war sehr tief! Ich bin ertrunken. Hilfe! Hilfe! Aber Leo kann nichts hören. Leo, wo sind Sie? Ich sehe nicht ihn. Ich bin erschrocken.
Ich schrei und schrei. Hilfe! Hilfe! Und dann… Jemand trug mich. Leo! Aber nein… er oder sie oder es scheint wie die Sonne. Wie einen Engel. Und dann… Er ist verschwunden.
Dann bin ich aufgewacht. Ich glaube, das ist Gott. Ich glaube, in meinen Traum, Leo war die Welt und ihr Vergnügen. Und Gott ist mein Gott, mein Leben.”
Ich bin nach mein Haus gelaufen, als er vorbeigegangen. Es war Leo.
Leo. Leo ist mein Traummann. Er geht in meine Klasse. Aber er sieht mich nicht… Er war allein. Ich bin geschlichen hinter…
Er ist in den Wald gegangen. Also bin ich in den Wald gegangen. Er ist gerannt. Also bin ich gerannt. Es gibt einen See. Er ist schnell geflossen. Leo ist gesprungen in den See. Also bin ich gesprungen.
Aber er war sehr tief! Ich bin ertrunken. Hilfe! Hilfe! Aber Leo kann nichts hören. Leo, wo sind Sie? Ich sehe nicht ihn. Ich bin erschrocken.
Ich schrei und schrei. Hilfe! Hilfe! Und dann… Jemand trug mich. Leo! Aber nein… er oder sie oder es scheint wie die Sonne. Wie einen Engel. Und dann… Er ist verschwunden.
Dann bin ich aufgewacht. Ich glaube, das ist Gott. Ich glaube, in meinen Traum, Leo war die Welt und ihr Vergnügen. Und Gott ist mein Gott, mein Leben.”
FLORAL CANDLES of Photo Frames Plus
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Description Meta Tag: floral, candles, floral candles, exquisite, Photo Frames Plus, reasonable price, Photo Frames Plus, gift, super, store
Written by Amanda of Writers International
Written for photoframesplus
What does a wedding ceremony, a birthday, and a romantic dinner date all have in common?
Besides being delightful celebrations, all these events make use of candles. But if you want an extra embellishment for that special event, plain lighted candles are not enough. You'll want those unique floral candles especially made for such special occasions.
Photo Frames Plus, which goes by the slogan "Your Gift Super Store", can provide the perfect floral candles for any occasion. For as low as 78 cents, you can have that distinctively simple White Rose Candle Favors In Deluxe Box, or that Calla Lily Design Candle Favors. For those blooming in love, why don't you get yourselves the chic Glass Candle with Rose Top Pearl White, which goes for only $1.95?
If you're planning to propose during a romantic dinner date in your penthouse or wherever, why don't you add a Rose Ball Candle in Gift Box with Matching Bow and Tag to the table? For only $1.20, this candle piece will surely make your mood for the night.
Who said only lovers need these candles? When your mother is nearing her 80th birthday, you can spare some $2.71 and get her a White Calla Lily Candle Lamp Favor. She’ll be surprised.
Whatever the occasion may be, make it more special with exquisitely-made Floral Candles. Only from Photo Frames Plus, your gift super store. See http://store.photoframesplus.com/wedding-favors-candles-floral.html for more floral candle items.
Description Meta Tag: floral, candles, floral candles, exquisite, Photo Frames Plus, reasonable price, Photo Frames Plus, gift, super, store
Written by Amanda of Writers International
Written for photoframesplus
What does a wedding ceremony, a birthday, and a romantic dinner date all have in common?
Besides being delightful celebrations, all these events make use of candles. But if you want an extra embellishment for that special event, plain lighted candles are not enough. You'll want those unique floral candles especially made for such special occasions.
Photo Frames Plus, which goes by the slogan "Your Gift Super Store", can provide the perfect floral candles for any occasion. For as low as 78 cents, you can have that distinctively simple White Rose Candle Favors In Deluxe Box, or that Calla Lily Design Candle Favors. For those blooming in love, why don't you get yourselves the chic Glass Candle with Rose Top Pearl White, which goes for only $1.95?
If you're planning to propose during a romantic dinner date in your penthouse or wherever, why don't you add a Rose Ball Candle in Gift Box with Matching Bow and Tag to the table? For only $1.20, this candle piece will surely make your mood for the night.
Who said only lovers need these candles? When your mother is nearing her 80th birthday, you can spare some $2.71 and get her a White Calla Lily Candle Lamp Favor. She’ll be surprised.
Whatever the occasion may be, make it more special with exquisitely-made Floral Candles. Only from Photo Frames Plus, your gift super store. See http://store.photoframesplus.com/wedding-favors-candles-floral.html for more floral candle items.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
White House Mix-Up
Don't blame the Americans. When you’re too busy thinking of your country's soldiers in Iraq, or how you'll ever get to enter Harvard University, or who the next American Idol would be, you’ll end up stressed. And when you’re stressed, you can end up doing odd things (e.g. making hilarious videos).
The person behind the YouTube video which stars US President George W. Bush and US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice is not any different. The video, which can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ybj2FJ8iDCs, is described as a "hilarious satirical play". It features a funny conversation between Bush and Rice.
The video contains subtitles, which were taken from a play by Jim Sherman. The playwright wrote the script in 2002, after Hu Jintao was named chief of China's Communist Party. In 2006, voices and pictures were added to create the final video.
Over 390,000 people have viewed the video, more than 3600 of which have marked it as a favorite. There are over 225 comments on it; practically all are praising the video’s humor. Despite its brevity (it was 20 seconds away from three minutes), the video is well-liked because of its smart use of puns:
Rice: I have the report here about the new leader in China… Mr. President, Hu is the new leader
of China.
Bush: Well, that’s what I want to know.
…
Rice: Hu is leading China, Mr. President.
Bush: Whaddya’ asking me for?
Rice: I’m telling you Hu is leading China.
…
Bush: Will you or will you not tell me the name of the new leader of China?
Rice: Yes, sir.
Bush: Yassir? Yassir Arafat is in China? I thought he was in the Middle East.
…
Bush: Why don’t you get me the Secretary General of the United Nations on the phone?
…
Rice: Yes, sir.
Bush: Not Yassir. The guy at the United Nations.
Rice: Kofi?
Bush: Milk!
…
Rice: Hello. Rice here.
Bush: …And get a couple of egg rolls too, Condi…
Hu will laugh when he sees this video. Wait—who? I will. Hu will? You will…
Uh-oh. Now I’m confused as well.
Don't blame the Americans. When you’re too busy thinking of your country's soldiers in Iraq, or how you'll ever get to enter Harvard University, or who the next American Idol would be, you’ll end up stressed. And when you’re stressed, you can end up doing odd things (e.g. making hilarious videos).
The person behind the YouTube video which stars US President George W. Bush and US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice is not any different. The video, which can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ybj2FJ8iDCs, is described as a "hilarious satirical play". It features a funny conversation between Bush and Rice.
The video contains subtitles, which were taken from a play by Jim Sherman. The playwright wrote the script in 2002, after Hu Jintao was named chief of China's Communist Party. In 2006, voices and pictures were added to create the final video.
Over 390,000 people have viewed the video, more than 3600 of which have marked it as a favorite. There are over 225 comments on it; practically all are praising the video’s humor. Despite its brevity (it was 20 seconds away from three minutes), the video is well-liked because of its smart use of puns:
Rice: I have the report here about the new leader in China… Mr. President, Hu is the new leader
of China.
Bush: Well, that’s what I want to know.
…
Rice: Hu is leading China, Mr. President.
Bush: Whaddya’ asking me for?
Rice: I’m telling you Hu is leading China.
…
Bush: Will you or will you not tell me the name of the new leader of China?
Rice: Yes, sir.
Bush: Yassir? Yassir Arafat is in China? I thought he was in the Middle East.
…
Bush: Why don’t you get me the Secretary General of the United Nations on the phone?
…
Rice: Yes, sir.
Bush: Not Yassir. The guy at the United Nations.
Rice: Kofi?
Bush: Milk!
…
Rice: Hello. Rice here.
Bush: …And get a couple of egg rolls too, Condi…
Hu will laugh when he sees this video. Wait—who? I will. Hu will? You will…
Uh-oh. Now I’m confused as well.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Re-write few paragraphs
ORIGINAL:
What is an Angel Investor?
Originally, the term was coined to refer to the people who financed broadway plays when all else failed. Today this term has become common among the investment community to refer to a high net-worth individual that invests their own personal funds in various businesses. In the UK, it is estimated that there are well over 200,000 potential angel investors that annually invest approximately 3 billion in UK businesses and currently own over 12 billion in existing equity. This represents roughly 7% of what the banks are investing. As well, statistics show that this figure trumps that of venture capital lending. The UK labour market and productivity centre estimates that angel investments have financed approximately twice as many firms as any other form of external equity investment, including institutional venture capital.
What is a Typical Angel Investor Profile?
Angel investors are usually wealthy, well-educated, self confident, ambitious and mostly male aged 45-55. They have probably sold a business or taken early retirement as a senior executive, exits sought after five years, utilising the income and capital gains tax relief available under the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS), seeking high capital growth, i.e. 35% / 40% per annum compound, usually seeking some active management involvement, often quirky / motivated by a wide range of desires and preferences, investment decisions may be driven by moral /social dimensions/personal experience, seeking enjoyment and personal satisfaction, completes his/her own due diligence, values business on a combination of earnings based-method / gut feelinvests within one/two months of identifying opportunity and may have up to four investments running at one time.
Angels are also extremely discerning in the projects that they will invest in (rejecting, on average, approximately 97% of the proposals submitted to them). Angel investors typically invest in a business after the entrepreneur's love capital (capital from relatives and friends) has been exhausted, but before the firm has reached a stage at which it will be eligible for venture capital investment. Angel investments typically range from about £15,000 to £300,000, although investments may range upwards of £500,000. Research also indicates that, historically, most angel investors seek to invest close to home-within a 100 mile radius of where they live.
--
RE-WRITTEN:
What exactly does "Angel Investor" mean?
An "Angel Investor" was primarily the unique term given to refer to those who sponsored plays in Broadway when no one else wanted to. In contemporary time, the term is popularly used by the investment population in referring to someone with a high net-worth who uses his own personal fund to finance numerous businesses. In fact, it is approximated that there are more than 200,000 potential angel investors in the United Kingdom (UK) alone. These angel investors in the UK are reckoned to devote roughly 3 billion in UK businesses and at the present own at least 12 billion in existing equity. These figures stand for 7% of banks' investments. Likewise, these numbers are estimated to be greater than those of venture capital lending. The labour market and productivity centre of the UK approximates that angel investments have funded roughly twice as many firms as any other form of external equity investment, even that of institutional venture capital.
How do you describe a typical Angel Investor?
The majority of angel investors are affluent, erudite, self-assured, "go-getters", and are commonly males aged 45 to 55. They are likely to have sold a business or gone in an early retirement as a senior executive, exits done after five years, using the income and capital gains tax relief available according to the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS), desiring high capital growth (perhaps 35% / 40% per annum compound), often wanting certain active management involvement, and are frequently idiosyncratic / inspired by a variety of wants and preferences. Their decision to be a sponsor is perhaps because of moral /social dimensions/personal experience, their pursuit of enjoyment and personal contentment. An angel investor often completes his/her own due persistence, regards business on a combination of earnings based-method and gut feeling, decides to put an investment in one or two months after finding the perfect occasion, and can maintain as many as four investments at a time.
These angel investors are likewise highly selective in making their investments. In fact, they put down, on average, almost 97% of the investment ideas brought before them. They usually sponsor a business after the entrepreneur's so-called "love capital" (capital which comes from relatives and close friends) has been used up, but before the prospective firm has reached the point in which it could receive venture capital investment. Investments of these angel investors are often between £15,000 and £300,000, but some may invest up to £500,000. Research also points out that, by and large, angel investors prefer investing in a firm near to them, often within a 100-mile radius of their residence.
What is an Angel Investor?
Originally, the term was coined to refer to the people who financed broadway plays when all else failed. Today this term has become common among the investment community to refer to a high net-worth individual that invests their own personal funds in various businesses. In the UK, it is estimated that there are well over 200,000 potential angel investors that annually invest approximately 3 billion in UK businesses and currently own over 12 billion in existing equity. This represents roughly 7% of what the banks are investing. As well, statistics show that this figure trumps that of venture capital lending. The UK labour market and productivity centre estimates that angel investments have financed approximately twice as many firms as any other form of external equity investment, including institutional venture capital.
What is a Typical Angel Investor Profile?
Angel investors are usually wealthy, well-educated, self confident, ambitious and mostly male aged 45-55. They have probably sold a business or taken early retirement as a senior executive, exits sought after five years, utilising the income and capital gains tax relief available under the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS), seeking high capital growth, i.e. 35% / 40% per annum compound, usually seeking some active management involvement, often quirky / motivated by a wide range of desires and preferences, investment decisions may be driven by moral /social dimensions/personal experience, seeking enjoyment and personal satisfaction, completes his/her own due diligence, values business on a combination of earnings based-method / gut feelinvests within one/two months of identifying opportunity and may have up to four investments running at one time.
Angels are also extremely discerning in the projects that they will invest in (rejecting, on average, approximately 97% of the proposals submitted to them). Angel investors typically invest in a business after the entrepreneur's love capital (capital from relatives and friends) has been exhausted, but before the firm has reached a stage at which it will be eligible for venture capital investment. Angel investments typically range from about £15,000 to £300,000, although investments may range upwards of £500,000. Research also indicates that, historically, most angel investors seek to invest close to home-within a 100 mile radius of where they live.
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RE-WRITTEN:
What exactly does "Angel Investor" mean?
An "Angel Investor" was primarily the unique term given to refer to those who sponsored plays in Broadway when no one else wanted to. In contemporary time, the term is popularly used by the investment population in referring to someone with a high net-worth who uses his own personal fund to finance numerous businesses. In fact, it is approximated that there are more than 200,000 potential angel investors in the United Kingdom (UK) alone. These angel investors in the UK are reckoned to devote roughly 3 billion in UK businesses and at the present own at least 12 billion in existing equity. These figures stand for 7% of banks' investments. Likewise, these numbers are estimated to be greater than those of venture capital lending. The labour market and productivity centre of the UK approximates that angel investments have funded roughly twice as many firms as any other form of external equity investment, even that of institutional venture capital.
How do you describe a typical Angel Investor?
The majority of angel investors are affluent, erudite, self-assured, "go-getters", and are commonly males aged 45 to 55. They are likely to have sold a business or gone in an early retirement as a senior executive, exits done after five years, using the income and capital gains tax relief available according to the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS), desiring high capital growth (perhaps 35% / 40% per annum compound), often wanting certain active management involvement, and are frequently idiosyncratic / inspired by a variety of wants and preferences. Their decision to be a sponsor is perhaps because of moral /social dimensions/personal experience, their pursuit of enjoyment and personal contentment. An angel investor often completes his/her own due persistence, regards business on a combination of earnings based-method and gut feeling, decides to put an investment in one or two months after finding the perfect occasion, and can maintain as many as four investments at a time.
These angel investors are likewise highly selective in making their investments. In fact, they put down, on average, almost 97% of the investment ideas brought before them. They usually sponsor a business after the entrepreneur's so-called "love capital" (capital which comes from relatives and close friends) has been used up, but before the prospective firm has reached the point in which it could receive venture capital investment. Investments of these angel investors are often between £15,000 and £300,000, but some may invest up to £500,000. Research also points out that, by and large, angel investors prefer investing in a firm near to them, often within a 100-mile radius of their residence.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Rephrased: DRUGS
ORIGINAL
Drugs are mainly used to eradicate the disease being treated, and usually tend to interfere with specific biological pathways by trying to modify or amend them. Sometimes this interference could be very dominant or unnatural, leading to a long list of side effects which accompany the treatment. Nutritional supplements are natural and augmentative; they enhance and support existing body functions to overcome the ailment. Supplements work towards overall health and wellness of the body.
REWRITTEN by QLSC
The primary purpose of medicines is to cure a person's illness. Medicines, often called drugs, intervene in certain organic processes of the body. However, when this intervention is too strong or is abnormal, the user can experience numerous negative effects, called "side effects", along with the treatment.
That is where nutritional supplements kick in. These natural products provide strength much needed by the recuperating body. They improve and aid in body processes to fight back the illness. Supplements, therefore, are essential keys in obtaining total health and fitness.
81.2 % UNIQUE according to www.dupecop.com
Drugs are mainly used to eradicate the disease being treated, and usually tend to interfere with specific biological pathways by trying to modify or amend them. Sometimes this interference could be very dominant or unnatural, leading to a long list of side effects which accompany the treatment. Nutritional supplements are natural and augmentative; they enhance and support existing body functions to overcome the ailment. Supplements work towards overall health and wellness of the body.
REWRITTEN by QLSC
The primary purpose of medicines is to cure a person's illness. Medicines, often called drugs, intervene in certain organic processes of the body. However, when this intervention is too strong or is abnormal, the user can experience numerous negative effects, called "side effects", along with the treatment.
That is where nutritional supplements kick in. These natural products provide strength much needed by the recuperating body. They improve and aid in body processes to fight back the illness. Supplements, therefore, are essential keys in obtaining total health and fitness.
81.2 % UNIQUE according to www.dupecop.com
Rephrased: "Foreplay"
ORIGINAL
Foreplay is a fundamental part of the whole lovemaking experience. Long and sensual foreplay before intercourse leads to the best sexual satisfaction. A more attentive form of foreplay will always bring increased pleasure to both partners, and make any sexual experience more satisfying. Both partners need an extra little to get fully aroused and achieve maximum pleasure. The man usually needs to extend foreplay to get an erection and the woman will usually need the same to be well lubricated. You cannot really define foreplay. It is certainly not about pressing the right buttons in the right order. It is about understanding what excites your partner and applying that understanding which makes the entire experience pleasurable.
PARAPHRASED by QLSC
What is sex without foreplay? For us humans, making love seemed to have become incomplete without foreplay. If you want to get the most pleasure out of lovemaking, then it's a prolonged erotic foreplay you need. The more rapt a foreplay is, the more pleasurable and satisfying lovemaking becomes. With it, it takes only a little more for a couple to become totally aroused. Extending foreplay is beneficial to both partners: the man gets an erection while the woman gets lubricated just right. Though you may know how to act out foreplay, it is quite hard to explain in words. Pressing the right buttons in the right order -- or doing things step-by-step -- is not what foreplay is. Rather, it is the attention and indulgence of each partner which makes foreplay the indispensable factor.
68.1 % UNIQUE according to www.dupecop.com
Foreplay is a fundamental part of the whole lovemaking experience. Long and sensual foreplay before intercourse leads to the best sexual satisfaction. A more attentive form of foreplay will always bring increased pleasure to both partners, and make any sexual experience more satisfying. Both partners need an extra little to get fully aroused and achieve maximum pleasure. The man usually needs to extend foreplay to get an erection and the woman will usually need the same to be well lubricated. You cannot really define foreplay. It is certainly not about pressing the right buttons in the right order. It is about understanding what excites your partner and applying that understanding which makes the entire experience pleasurable.
PARAPHRASED by QLSC
What is sex without foreplay? For us humans, making love seemed to have become incomplete without foreplay. If you want to get the most pleasure out of lovemaking, then it's a prolonged erotic foreplay you need. The more rapt a foreplay is, the more pleasurable and satisfying lovemaking becomes. With it, it takes only a little more for a couple to become totally aroused. Extending foreplay is beneficial to both partners: the man gets an erection while the woman gets lubricated just right. Though you may know how to act out foreplay, it is quite hard to explain in words. Pressing the right buttons in the right order -- or doing things step-by-step -- is not what foreplay is. Rather, it is the attention and indulgence of each partner which makes foreplay the indispensable factor.
68.1 % UNIQUE according to www.dupecop.com
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Manifesto
I am Queen, and this is my quest.
A quest. For the quaint meaning of life.
My quest. To solve the most quizzical questions. Queries with no quota.
The life of an endless questor. Is it queer?
Be quiet. This is my quest.
I am Queen. And I will not quit.
Rewording Test
Here is the original Text:
ESTABLISH AAA CREDIT IN 30 DAYS
To work this plan you need at least $400 to begin. You should borrow this from your friends if necessary. Then go to a bank of your choice and deposit the $400 into a regular passbook savings account.
Wait a few days for the account to be posted and return to the bank to ask for a $400 loan - you offer the passbook as collateral. Since the bank is already holding your $400, you go to another bank open a savings account lending you another $400 and they won't even make a credit check. Then, with your borrowed $400, you go to another bank, open a savings account, return a few days later, borrow $400 from that bank using your passbook as collateral.
Then repeat the process at a third bank with your borrowed $400. Wait a few days to go to a fourth bank where you open this time a CHECKING account.
Wait a few days and make a payment on each of the other three loans . A week later, make payments again on the three loans, and continue paying each week until you have almost paid off the balance.
A credit investigation at this point will show you with three active bank loans (which are considered hard to get), a checking account, and a paying history for the three bank loans - with you having paid up in advance. Thus, you have AAA credit in as little as 30 days. From here you go on to apply for loans, credit cards, and other items on credit.
____________________
Here is the text rephrased by qlsc:
GAIN AAA CREDIT IN AS SHORT AS A MONTH!
First things first. You would need a minimum of $400 for this purpose. Your relatives and friends can lend you this money. With the cash ready, go to your preferred bank and deposit the cash as a regular passbook savings account.
After several days, as soon as your account is posted, go back to the bank and request for an advance or mortgage of $400. The passbook will serve as your collateral. As your initial $400 is already with the bank, enter a different bank, start a savings account which will lend you another $400. They'll pass the credit check.
With the $400 you borrowed, enter a new bank and start a savings account. After some days, request for a loan from that bank. Again, your passbook is your collateral.
Do this again at a third bank using the $400 you borrowed. After a couple of days, visit a fourth bank. This time, open a CHECKING account.
After several days, pay all of the three other loans. After a week, pay these banks again. Do this weekly until your balance is almost fully paid.
If a credit investigation is done at this time, you will appear with three active bank loans (which is rather extraordinary), a checking account, AND a paying history for all three loans. You even paid ahead! There, you get AAA credit in as short as a month. Now you can apply for loans, credit cards, and other things on credit. Simple, isn't it?
ESTABLISH AAA CREDIT IN 30 DAYS
To work this plan you need at least $400 to begin. You should borrow this from your friends if necessary. Then go to a bank of your choice and deposit the $400 into a regular passbook savings account.
Wait a few days for the account to be posted and return to the bank to ask for a $400 loan - you offer the passbook as collateral. Since the bank is already holding your $400, you go to another bank open a savings account lending you another $400 and they won't even make a credit check. Then, with your borrowed $400, you go to another bank, open a savings account, return a few days later, borrow $400 from that bank using your passbook as collateral.
Then repeat the process at a third bank with your borrowed $400. Wait a few days to go to a fourth bank where you open this time a CHECKING account.
Wait a few days and make a payment on each of the other three loans . A week later, make payments again on the three loans, and continue paying each week until you have almost paid off the balance.
A credit investigation at this point will show you with three active bank loans (which are considered hard to get), a checking account, and a paying history for the three bank loans - with you having paid up in advance. Thus, you have AAA credit in as little as 30 days. From here you go on to apply for loans, credit cards, and other items on credit.
____________________
Here is the text rephrased by qlsc:
GAIN AAA CREDIT IN AS SHORT AS A MONTH!
First things first. You would need a minimum of $400 for this purpose. Your relatives and friends can lend you this money. With the cash ready, go to your preferred bank and deposit the cash as a regular passbook savings account.
After several days, as soon as your account is posted, go back to the bank and request for an advance or mortgage of $400. The passbook will serve as your collateral. As your initial $400 is already with the bank, enter a different bank, start a savings account which will lend you another $400. They'll pass the credit check.
With the $400 you borrowed, enter a new bank and start a savings account. After some days, request for a loan from that bank. Again, your passbook is your collateral.
Do this again at a third bank using the $400 you borrowed. After a couple of days, visit a fourth bank. This time, open a CHECKING account.
After several days, pay all of the three other loans. After a week, pay these banks again. Do this weekly until your balance is almost fully paid.
If a credit investigation is done at this time, you will appear with three active bank loans (which is rather extraordinary), a checking account, AND a paying history for all three loans. You even paid ahead! There, you get AAA credit in as short as a month. Now you can apply for loans, credit cards, and other things on credit. Simple, isn't it?
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Italy and European Integration
The country known for its pasta and Ferraris is ploddingly gaining importance in the European Union (EU). Italy was not among the five forerunners of the European Union, yet it was the first to join them in the European Economic Community (EEC). However, its entry in the EEC in 1957 was only the beginning of Italy’s involvement toward European integration.
In 2005, Italy resolutely joined Spain in accelerating European integration. Denmark’s and France’s rejection of the EU Constitution posited the entire EU in a tight spot. At the 6th Forum for the Dialogue between Spain and Italy, the Foreign Ministers of both states vowed to “to make efforts to break the ice and hammer [as] a remedy for the EU's hobbled integration.” Italy was also one among 10 countries which vouched for the treaty’s ratification.[1]
In lieu with recent events, I observe how Italy is learning to step up. At the wake of the crisis in the Middle East, the “newly transformed” Italian foreign policy was put to the test. In this, Italy brazenly decided to “practice equal favoritism” for all countries involved. This helped achieve a ceasefire in the Lebanon conflict. Italy also exercised leadership by deploying its peacekeeping troops in the Middle East. This decision was a breakthrough which was motivated by the commendation of the United States and Israel, as well as the EU’s involvement in military missions.[2] Italy clearly demonstrates its willingness to comply with EU missions.
Just this spring (in Europe), Italian Premier Romano Prodi and his pro-Europe allies have decided to re-launch Italy’s stand as a “europhile”. They openly vowed to steer back from the formerly “euro-sceptic government” headed by Silvio Berlusconi, which had “abandoned Italy's well-established tradition of championing EU integration”. As of present time, Italy endeavors to rejoin European debates over the constitution along with fresh enlargement and integration schemes.[3]
There are more to demonstrate Italy’s patronage of integration. Its government now claims that the revival of the EU Constitutional Treaty is now a top priority. But unlike German chancellor and incumbent EU head Angela Merkel, Italy suggests an eventual renegotiation of the rejected treaty. It recommends the solidification of EU institutions. Apropos EU enlargement, Italy has become more proactive. It is now rooting for the assimilation of the western Balkans, under the pretext of preventing the Balkans from being an “enclave of instability”. Keeping an open mind and a loud voice, Italy supports further integration by rejecting calls for Turkey’s exclusion. Yet Italy is not all-out in its openness for the sake of integration. While supportive of Turkey, it remains hostile about Ukraine’s (or any other post-Soviet state at that) entry into the Union. Italy trusts that cooperation between the EU and the post-Soviet states could be achieved through the European Neighbourhood Policy, and thus, their admission is negligible. In my opinion, it could even be detrimental to the EU; Italy seems to think so anyway[4].
Works Cited:
Xinhua. “Spain, Italy vow to push forward EU integration”. 2005. People’s Daily Online. 7 July 2007
.
Ignazi, Piero. “The New Leading Role of Italy in the EU”. 2006. Safe Democracy Foundation. 7 July 2007
.
Greco, Ettore. “Italy's Grand Plans for EU Foreign Policy Rest on Clay Feet at Home”. 2007. Europe’s World.
7 July 2007.
[1] Xinhua, “Spain, Italy vow to push forward EU integration,” 10 Sep. 2005, People’s Daily Online, 7 July 2007.
[2] Piero Ignazi, “The New Leading Role of Italy in the EU,” Forum on Democracy, 31 Aug. 2006, Safe Democracy Foundation, 7 July 2007.
[3] Ettore Greco, “Italy's Grand Plans for EU Foreign Policy Rest on Clay Feet at Home,” The Brookings Institution, 2007, Europe’s World, 7 July 2007.
[4] Greco
In 2005, Italy resolutely joined Spain in accelerating European integration. Denmark’s and France’s rejection of the EU Constitution posited the entire EU in a tight spot. At the 6th Forum for the Dialogue between Spain and Italy, the Foreign Ministers of both states vowed to “to make efforts to break the ice and hammer [as] a remedy for the EU's hobbled integration.” Italy was also one among 10 countries which vouched for the treaty’s ratification.[1]
In lieu with recent events, I observe how Italy is learning to step up. At the wake of the crisis in the Middle East, the “newly transformed” Italian foreign policy was put to the test. In this, Italy brazenly decided to “practice equal favoritism” for all countries involved. This helped achieve a ceasefire in the Lebanon conflict. Italy also exercised leadership by deploying its peacekeeping troops in the Middle East. This decision was a breakthrough which was motivated by the commendation of the United States and Israel, as well as the EU’s involvement in military missions.[2] Italy clearly demonstrates its willingness to comply with EU missions.
Just this spring (in Europe), Italian Premier Romano Prodi and his pro-Europe allies have decided to re-launch Italy’s stand as a “europhile”. They openly vowed to steer back from the formerly “euro-sceptic government” headed by Silvio Berlusconi, which had “abandoned Italy's well-established tradition of championing EU integration”. As of present time, Italy endeavors to rejoin European debates over the constitution along with fresh enlargement and integration schemes.[3]
There are more to demonstrate Italy’s patronage of integration. Its government now claims that the revival of the EU Constitutional Treaty is now a top priority. But unlike German chancellor and incumbent EU head Angela Merkel, Italy suggests an eventual renegotiation of the rejected treaty. It recommends the solidification of EU institutions. Apropos EU enlargement, Italy has become more proactive. It is now rooting for the assimilation of the western Balkans, under the pretext of preventing the Balkans from being an “enclave of instability”. Keeping an open mind and a loud voice, Italy supports further integration by rejecting calls for Turkey’s exclusion. Yet Italy is not all-out in its openness for the sake of integration. While supportive of Turkey, it remains hostile about Ukraine’s (or any other post-Soviet state at that) entry into the Union. Italy trusts that cooperation between the EU and the post-Soviet states could be achieved through the European Neighbourhood Policy, and thus, their admission is negligible. In my opinion, it could even be detrimental to the EU; Italy seems to think so anyway[4].
Works Cited:
Xinhua. “Spain, Italy vow to push forward EU integration”. 2005. People’s Daily Online. 7 July 2007
Ignazi, Piero. “The New Leading Role of Italy in the EU”. 2006. Safe Democracy Foundation. 7 July 2007
Greco, Ettore. “Italy's Grand Plans for EU Foreign Policy Rest on Clay Feet at Home”. 2007. Europe’s World.
7 July 2007
[1] Xinhua, “Spain, Italy vow to push forward EU integration,” 10 Sep. 2005, People’s Daily Online, 7 July 2007
[2] Piero Ignazi, “The New Leading Role of Italy in the EU,” Forum on Democracy, 31 Aug. 2006, Safe Democracy Foundation, 7 July 2007
[3] Ettore Greco, “Italy's Grand Plans for EU Foreign Policy Rest on Clay Feet at Home,” The Brookings Institution, 2007, Europe’s World, 7 July 2007
[4] Greco
Germany and European Integration
It appears to me that the Federal Republic of Germany has gone a long way in its support of European integration. Its efforts toward integration were first perceived in 1952, when it allowed the integration of its coal and steel industries with that of France. Its concurrence to be regulated in its top industries (which shortly included atomic energy and others) under one authority with four other states roused others in Europe. This arousal was seen in 1957, when the European Economic Community (EEC) was formed, in which Italy joined as well. Within only four decades, the membership of the Community has grown from six to 15. As of July 2007, the resulting product of that community is the European Union (EU) made up of 27 member-states, almost doubling in number within only 12 years.
As one of the pioneers in Europe’s attempt to integrate, Germany has proven itself quite supportive of European “one-ness”. In fact, it is one of the most active member-states and at the present holds the EU Presidency.
Last July 3, Dr. Axel Weishaupt, German ambassador to the Philippines since 2004, visited the AdMU to talk about Germany’s view of European integration. From what he discussed, I believe that Germany is indeed an advocate of European integration. However, being known as the stringent state that it is, Germany is open to changes in the EU. I think Germany goes a step ahead of the others by courageously voicing out its opinions, no matter how arduous the solutions may be. For instance, Germany is rather outspoken in saying that many of the treaties are “hopeless” and need to be modified. In fact, one of the hottest topics for debates in the EU nowadays is Germany’s radical proposal to drop the idea of an EU constitution. Germany also boldly aims for the end of a “rotating Presidency”.
Germany has taken a multitude of other actions which emphasize its objective of an integrated Europe. It has agreed to treaties which allow an EU citizen to live and work wherever in Europe. Through its ratification of the Schengen Visa, it has also loosened controls and checks for travelers. Germany is much in favor of the Schengen Visa, which eases the hassles of movement by accepting a single visa in 16 countries, excluding the United Kingdom and Ireland (no surprise there). Germany also expresses its anticipation of the expansion of the Visa, which would (Germany hopes) be honored in Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary soon.
Germany is not only supportive of European integration. It also proves to be unrelenting at that. Germany is precise in its objectives: It integrates more to gain faster economic development. And it is also careful: It continues to support integration only because of the resulting success. For Germany, it is “a process of adaptation and compromise” in which sometimes, EU members need to take a step back. But Germany is patient. After all, it ruminates, EU took 50 years to ripen, and the process is still not over. Whatever happens, the Federal Republic of Germany stands ready to listen and alert to cooperate.
As a final reflection, Germany seems to have learned its lesson from the Two World Wars. Now it has to move on and keep proving that unity is possible—not just in the European continent but in the whole world. As Ambassador Weishaupt recommends to us Filipinos (in view of the ASEAN): “Integrate as far as possible. It’s really worth it.”
As one of the pioneers in Europe’s attempt to integrate, Germany has proven itself quite supportive of European “one-ness”. In fact, it is one of the most active member-states and at the present holds the EU Presidency.
Last July 3, Dr. Axel Weishaupt, German ambassador to the Philippines since 2004, visited the AdMU to talk about Germany’s view of European integration. From what he discussed, I believe that Germany is indeed an advocate of European integration. However, being known as the stringent state that it is, Germany is open to changes in the EU. I think Germany goes a step ahead of the others by courageously voicing out its opinions, no matter how arduous the solutions may be. For instance, Germany is rather outspoken in saying that many of the treaties are “hopeless” and need to be modified. In fact, one of the hottest topics for debates in the EU nowadays is Germany’s radical proposal to drop the idea of an EU constitution. Germany also boldly aims for the end of a “rotating Presidency”.
Germany has taken a multitude of other actions which emphasize its objective of an integrated Europe. It has agreed to treaties which allow an EU citizen to live and work wherever in Europe. Through its ratification of the Schengen Visa, it has also loosened controls and checks for travelers. Germany is much in favor of the Schengen Visa, which eases the hassles of movement by accepting a single visa in 16 countries, excluding the United Kingdom and Ireland (no surprise there). Germany also expresses its anticipation of the expansion of the Visa, which would (Germany hopes) be honored in Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary soon.
Germany is not only supportive of European integration. It also proves to be unrelenting at that. Germany is precise in its objectives: It integrates more to gain faster economic development. And it is also careful: It continues to support integration only because of the resulting success. For Germany, it is “a process of adaptation and compromise” in which sometimes, EU members need to take a step back. But Germany is patient. After all, it ruminates, EU took 50 years to ripen, and the process is still not over. Whatever happens, the Federal Republic of Germany stands ready to listen and alert to cooperate.
As a final reflection, Germany seems to have learned its lesson from the Two World Wars. Now it has to move on and keep proving that unity is possible—not just in the European continent but in the whole world. As Ambassador Weishaupt recommends to us Filipinos (in view of the ASEAN): “Integrate as far as possible. It’s really worth it.”
BPO and Its Impact on Stateness and Sovereignty
Business Processes Outsourcing (BPO) is the “contracting of a specific business task, such as payroll, to a third-party service provider”. It is often done by companies to save costs. BPO done within a company’s own country is called onshore outsourcing. When BPO is done outside a company’s country, it is often called offshore outsourcing[1].
BPO is a subsector of outsourcing, a process which delegates “non-core operations from internal production to an external entity specializing in the management of that operation.” This is done for any of the following reasons: to lower the firm’s costs, to redirect or conserve “energy directed at the competencies of a particular business”, or to use worldwide labor, capital, technology and resources more efficiently.” [2]
It can be inferred that BPO has emerged as a product of globalization. Encyclopedia Britannica defines globalization as the "process by which the experience of everyday life... is becoming standardized around the world." Given this, I can say that BPO touches on several aspects of globalization[3].
In the industrial aspect, BPO allows global production markets to emerge and flourish. There is also a greater variety of goods (i.e. service providers) for companies to choose from. In the economic aspect, BPO opens up a global common market, where there is free exchange of goods and capital (i.e. service providers and companies’ capital). In the cultural aspect, there is the increase in cross-cultural contacts. And in the social aspect, there is the free movement of people throughout the world (i.e. workers migrating to a new country to work at).
I can say that I am a product of globalization, of BPO even. I am working part-time as a writer for various companies around the globe. The biggest company I work for allows me to choose projects from clients all over the world. I’ve had clients from the United States, Ukraine, India, and so on. I personally find it gratifying to be a participant in this global phenomenon called BPO. It never ceases to amaze me that here I am in a small room in a house on the Philippines writing articles for an SEO company based in Ukraine. My client will then hire a web master from India or elsewhere to upload my articles in the World Wide Web for billions of people from all countries to read. I receive my salary through Western Union, which is itself an international money transfer company with branches in many countries. The salary I receive is in US dollars, which is honored practically anywhere in the world. After receiving my salary, I shall be on my way to the mall, to purchase a dress from Marks & Spencers and jeans from Lee, both of which are companies which use BPO. (The fabric of the jeans I’m wearing might have been spun in China, sewn in India, and dyed in the Philippines too.) Oh the wonders of globalization and BPO. Even an individual as common as me is influenced.
On to the question: what impact could BPO have on the concepts of stateness and sovereignty? On my observation, BPO has been changing the ideas of stateness and sovereignty. A legitimate state has to fulfill five aspects: territory, people, government, sovereignty, and recognition. BPO seems to have changed the notion of “people”. Before, “people” meant your state’s citizens: either through jus sanguine or jus soli. But now, a US-based company such as IBM, can consider its Filipino call center agents its “people” too. Because these Filipino employees are part of the workforce of IBM, IBM is dependent on them and their service. These people often receive their salary in US dollars, just like real Americans instead of Peso-earning Filipinos. The idea of stateness has expanded, now to include even those who are non-citizens yet contribute to a country’s economy, enlarging states’ “territory” as well.
The idea of sovereignty has also been transformed with respect to BPO. National economies are now largely controlled by multinational firms. Likewise, the responsibility of each state to provide jobs for its citizens is undermined by BPO companies which do this with their own advantage in mind. The “happy” victims are developing states, such as our own Philippines. Weak states like ours are forced to accept whatever rules are set by richer states. With the heavy dependence on BPO by the Philippine economy and Filipino workers, our state could possibly lose more its idea of sovereignty and stateness. Also, the state as a whole is weakened because of brain drain; more and more of our professionals prefer to leave and use their talents and resources for another state (that or stay in the country while working for foreign companies).
In conclusion, BPOs are like a double-edged sword: they have positive and negative effects to stateness and sovereignty. BPOs are seen as products of globalization, yet with their proliferation, BPOs continue to support globalization—just like a vicious cycle.
Bibliography:
“Business process outsourcing”. Wikipedia. 2007. Wikimedia Foundation. 5 July 2007
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_process_outsourcing>.
“Outsourcing”. Wikipedia. 2007. Wikimedia Foundation. 5 July 2007
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outsourcing>.
“Globalization”. Wikipedia. 2007. Wikimedia Foundation. 5 July 2007
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Globalization>.
[1] “Business process outsourcing”. Wikipedia. 5 July 2007 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_process_outsourcing>.
[2] “Outsourcing”. Wikipedia. 5 July 2007 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outsourcing>.
[3] “Globalization”. Wikipedia. 5 July 2007 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Globalization>.
BPO is a subsector of outsourcing, a process which delegates “non-core operations from internal production to an external entity specializing in the management of that operation.” This is done for any of the following reasons: to lower the firm’s costs, to redirect or conserve “energy directed at the competencies of a particular business”, or to use worldwide labor, capital, technology and resources more efficiently.” [2]
It can be inferred that BPO has emerged as a product of globalization. Encyclopedia Britannica defines globalization as the "process by which the experience of everyday life... is becoming standardized around the world." Given this, I can say that BPO touches on several aspects of globalization[3].
In the industrial aspect, BPO allows global production markets to emerge and flourish. There is also a greater variety of goods (i.e. service providers) for companies to choose from. In the economic aspect, BPO opens up a global common market, where there is free exchange of goods and capital (i.e. service providers and companies’ capital). In the cultural aspect, there is the increase in cross-cultural contacts. And in the social aspect, there is the free movement of people throughout the world (i.e. workers migrating to a new country to work at).
I can say that I am a product of globalization, of BPO even. I am working part-time as a writer for various companies around the globe. The biggest company I work for allows me to choose projects from clients all over the world. I’ve had clients from the United States, Ukraine, India, and so on. I personally find it gratifying to be a participant in this global phenomenon called BPO. It never ceases to amaze me that here I am in a small room in a house on the Philippines writing articles for an SEO company based in Ukraine. My client will then hire a web master from India or elsewhere to upload my articles in the World Wide Web for billions of people from all countries to read. I receive my salary through Western Union, which is itself an international money transfer company with branches in many countries. The salary I receive is in US dollars, which is honored practically anywhere in the world. After receiving my salary, I shall be on my way to the mall, to purchase a dress from Marks & Spencers and jeans from Lee, both of which are companies which use BPO. (The fabric of the jeans I’m wearing might have been spun in China, sewn in India, and dyed in the Philippines too.) Oh the wonders of globalization and BPO. Even an individual as common as me is influenced.
On to the question: what impact could BPO have on the concepts of stateness and sovereignty? On my observation, BPO has been changing the ideas of stateness and sovereignty. A legitimate state has to fulfill five aspects: territory, people, government, sovereignty, and recognition. BPO seems to have changed the notion of “people”. Before, “people” meant your state’s citizens: either through jus sanguine or jus soli. But now, a US-based company such as IBM, can consider its Filipino call center agents its “people” too. Because these Filipino employees are part of the workforce of IBM, IBM is dependent on them and their service. These people often receive their salary in US dollars, just like real Americans instead of Peso-earning Filipinos. The idea of stateness has expanded, now to include even those who are non-citizens yet contribute to a country’s economy, enlarging states’ “territory” as well.
The idea of sovereignty has also been transformed with respect to BPO. National economies are now largely controlled by multinational firms. Likewise, the responsibility of each state to provide jobs for its citizens is undermined by BPO companies which do this with their own advantage in mind. The “happy” victims are developing states, such as our own Philippines. Weak states like ours are forced to accept whatever rules are set by richer states. With the heavy dependence on BPO by the Philippine economy and Filipino workers, our state could possibly lose more its idea of sovereignty and stateness. Also, the state as a whole is weakened because of brain drain; more and more of our professionals prefer to leave and use their talents and resources for another state (that or stay in the country while working for foreign companies).
In conclusion, BPOs are like a double-edged sword: they have positive and negative effects to stateness and sovereignty. BPOs are seen as products of globalization, yet with their proliferation, BPOs continue to support globalization—just like a vicious cycle.
Bibliography:
“Business process outsourcing”. Wikipedia. 2007. Wikimedia Foundation. 5 July 2007
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_process_outsourcing>.
“Outsourcing”. Wikipedia. 2007. Wikimedia Foundation. 5 July 2007
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outsourcing>.
“Globalization”. Wikipedia. 2007. Wikimedia Foundation. 5 July 2007
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Globalization>.
[1] “Business process outsourcing”. Wikipedia. 5 July 2007 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_process_outsourcing>.
[2] “Outsourcing”. Wikipedia. 5 July 2007 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outsourcing>.
[3] “Globalization”. Wikipedia. 5 July 2007 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Globalization>.
Browsing through “The Notebook”
The romantics would call this a love story.
The cynics would call it a tragedy.
Browsing through “The Notebook”
A brief feature of the book-turned-movie “The Notebook”
Reviewed by QLSC
Considered by many as one of the most poignant and compelling love stories ever written, The Notebook is a classic story of love found, lost, and regained. The chronicle was found on a festival night; lost three weeks after a summer spent together, and regained 14 years later, some time after World War II.
Rich girl and Poor Boy
The romance is on between country boy Noah Calhoun and city girl Allie Nelson. Contradictory to the Cinderella plot, Noah comes from a poor and simple family whereas Allie is bred in an almost stiff, aristocratic atmosphere. It was set on coastal New Bern of North Carolina. Despite the familiar conflict of rich-girl-loves-poor-boy-but-parents-do-not-agree, Sparks manages to sparkle in his story line. He did this by weaving little surprises in each chapter, making it difficult to guess correctly what happens next.
Distinctive of Sparks, this novelette boasts simplicity of words and form, making it easier to acquaint its reading crowd with. Descriptive paragraphs—another characteristic of Sparks—abound in 214 pages, flashing vivid images in the readers’ minds simultaneously.
Unfortunately, this can also be seen as a weakness as it can be observed that sometimes the description of the setting uses more words than the conversations between the characters themselves.
Several poems written by Noah for Allie and love letters written by one another accentuate the latter parts of the book.
From Book to Screen
The book is remarkable and romantic like others of Sparks, with its own story and twists. Similar to his first two novels, Message in a Bottle and A Walk to Remember, which were likewise set into motion pictures, The Notebook movie version is a pleasant film any one can relate and cry to whether it’s Christmas or July.
Unfortunately, novels such as this set into the silver screen suffer from the adaptations made on the story line. Several romantic scenes, which were described convolutedly in the book, were gashed from the movie. Fortunately, these scenes were not of great relevance in comparison to those that remained. For his part, Director Nick Cassavetes attempted well to tint the movie. He chose precise episodes, slashed out the rest, and added just a bit of his own mind without changing the major flow of the novel.
Then… and Now
In the book, the story is chopped into two parts: the first recounting the adventures of the two star-crossed lovers in their youth (early 20s), and after a gruff cut, the two lovers in their late (50s), in the Home for the Aged with their grandchildren visiting them.
In the movie, Cassavetes employed flashback, opening the curtains with Noah and Allie in the Home for the Aged. At that time, Allie, did not remember anything about herself. Their children and grandchildren plopped in the grass around them, and then Noah began his tale.
The Verdict
With its heartrending course, The Notebook can tug people’s emotions, as proven by positive reviews by males and females alike. It is one of those few films one can watch on a cool stormy night and one can’t forget come summer, in a way the big hits Titanic and Romeo and Juliet were. It has the winning combination of A Walk to Remember’s simplicity and tragedy and of Message in a Bottle’s (both also by Sparks) romance letters and lines. Read the book if you specifically need a good cry; watch the movie for its serene backdrops and slick scenes.
Reviewer's Picks:
“I’ll be seeing you.” (Noah’s last words before they died.)
The cynics would call it a tragedy.
Browsing through “The Notebook”
A brief feature of the book-turned-movie “The Notebook”
Reviewed by QLSC
Considered by many as one of the most poignant and compelling love stories ever written, The Notebook is a classic story of love found, lost, and regained. The chronicle was found on a festival night; lost three weeks after a summer spent together, and regained 14 years later, some time after World War II.
Rich girl and Poor Boy
The romance is on between country boy Noah Calhoun and city girl Allie Nelson. Contradictory to the Cinderella plot, Noah comes from a poor and simple family whereas Allie is bred in an almost stiff, aristocratic atmosphere. It was set on coastal New Bern of North Carolina. Despite the familiar conflict of rich-girl-loves-poor-boy-but-parents-do-not-agree, Sparks manages to sparkle in his story line. He did this by weaving little surprises in each chapter, making it difficult to guess correctly what happens next.
Distinctive of Sparks, this novelette boasts simplicity of words and form, making it easier to acquaint its reading crowd with. Descriptive paragraphs—another characteristic of Sparks—abound in 214 pages, flashing vivid images in the readers’ minds simultaneously.
Unfortunately, this can also be seen as a weakness as it can be observed that sometimes the description of the setting uses more words than the conversations between the characters themselves.
Several poems written by Noah for Allie and love letters written by one another accentuate the latter parts of the book.
From Book to Screen
The book is remarkable and romantic like others of Sparks, with its own story and twists. Similar to his first two novels, Message in a Bottle and A Walk to Remember, which were likewise set into motion pictures, The Notebook movie version is a pleasant film any one can relate and cry to whether it’s Christmas or July.
Unfortunately, novels such as this set into the silver screen suffer from the adaptations made on the story line. Several romantic scenes, which were described convolutedly in the book, were gashed from the movie. Fortunately, these scenes were not of great relevance in comparison to those that remained. For his part, Director Nick Cassavetes attempted well to tint the movie. He chose precise episodes, slashed out the rest, and added just a bit of his own mind without changing the major flow of the novel.
Then… and Now
In the book, the story is chopped into two parts: the first recounting the adventures of the two star-crossed lovers in their youth (early 20s), and after a gruff cut, the two lovers in their late (50s), in the Home for the Aged with their grandchildren visiting them.
In the movie, Cassavetes employed flashback, opening the curtains with Noah and Allie in the Home for the Aged. At that time, Allie, did not remember anything about herself. Their children and grandchildren plopped in the grass around them, and then Noah began his tale.
The Verdict
With its heartrending course, The Notebook can tug people’s emotions, as proven by positive reviews by males and females alike. It is one of those few films one can watch on a cool stormy night and one can’t forget come summer, in a way the big hits Titanic and Romeo and Juliet were. It has the winning combination of A Walk to Remember’s simplicity and tragedy and of Message in a Bottle’s (both also by Sparks) romance letters and lines. Read the book if you specifically need a good cry; watch the movie for its serene backdrops and slick scenes.
Reviewer's Picks:
Scene: Noah and Allie riding the canoe moving through the lake, with Tundra swan and Canadian geese surrounding them. Also, the last scene where they lie dead in the ward’s bed, their fingers intertwined and their faces happy and serene.
Line (in the book): I am nothing special; of this I am sure. I am a common man with common thoughts, and I’ve led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten, but I’ve loved another with all my heart and soul, and to me, this has always been enough.
Line (in the movie): “Do you think that love can create miracles?”
“Yes, I do. That’s what brings you back to me each time.” (Noah’s reply to Allie; speaking of her Alzheimer’s.)
“I’ll be seeing you.” (Noah’s last words before they died.)
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
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